More Thais travel 'solo', study finds

Tourism November 30, 2018 18:37

By The Nation

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Over a quarter of Thais (28 per cent) have travelled overseas “solo” in the past two years, ahead of the Global (24 per cent) and Asia-Pacific (23 per cent) averages, according to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study.

A press release issued by the company on Thursday said the study examined international travel trends and behaviour of 17,500 global travellers from 27 countries including Thailand.

On a macro level, the company's study found that those most likely to travel solo are the youngest group of travellers (18-24 years old) at 45 per cent and those combining business and leisure travel or “Bleasure” travellers at 37 per cent.

Travellers aged between 25-35 years old and affluent travellers round out the group most likely to travel solo at 28 per cent likelihood each. The study found that travellers aged 36-44 years old are the most likely to travel with other people throughout the entire trip at 71 per cent.

Suripong Tantiyanon, Country Manager for Visa Thailand said: “It is exciting to see how technology and tourism have become intertwined resulting in more Thai travellers taking “solo” trips abroad.

“The development of technology allows travellers the ability to take trip planning and booking into their own hands. In addition, payment technologies and innovations also give them greater convenience, security and confidence to spend during their time abroad.”

When travelling with companions, bigger groups are common. Typically, a group consists of up to five people, on average. Those travelling with others are most likely to be accompanied by their spouses/partners (49 per cent) or friends/colleagues (42 per cent). Travellers aged 45-years-old and above or “Superboomers” (72 per cent) are more likely to travel with their family and friends throughout the whole trip.

When it comes to travel activities, travellers from Thailand differ from their Asia-Pacific counterparts. The top three activities for Thai travellers are tours and attractions (71 per cent), food and dining (69 per cent), and shopping (68 per cent). On the other hand, top activities for Asia-Pacific travellers are food and dining (73 per cent), shopping (69 per cent), and tours and attractions (64 per cent).